This image was actually taken in Athens, Greece when I was with a group of fellow students at Nea Zoi Ministries summer 2015. Nea Zoi and Threads of Hope Ministries faithfully love those in need one by one.
Beyond this street begins “The Red light district” where prostitution is legal. Women and children are human trafficked there from parts of Europe, Africa and other locations. It is disgusting. The dilapidated buildings are painted with pretty colors that cannot disguise the chains that you see across the windows. Ironically the black statue in the middle of the square on the left of the picture is called “The fallen angel” and points directly to the beginning of the district were girls and women are trapped and used for profit and tourism.
Yet God has a plan of deliverance for these ladies….one by one. The Gospel can give them the confidence and healing they need but action needs to be taken. By us.
Certainly we need to spend ourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed women and girls. Part of we are called to do includes faithful prayer. Can we please pray together for the Lord’s guidance?
Lord please help us not to forget those who are hungry and oppressed. Show us what to do Lord. Please help us to put our faith into daily action because “faith without works is dead”.
Please encourage those suffering girls and women. Show them your true love and faithfulness God. I pray your light will shine in that darkness Lord.
Just as you ended legal slavery in the United States and people like me can be free Lord you can do it again. Please set the captives free. Use us Lord to do our part.
In Jesus name amen.
Shining Light Ministries Impact tour – New England, USA
College students selected from across the country offer 12 Impact Events, delivering a powerful, relevant, multi-media message of hope in correctional facilities throughout the US.
The largest Christian performing arts production offered in US prisons. Interactions shatter stereotypes & walls between “us” and “them”.
Lasting impact reported from the corrections officials.
Jwear = “NOT IN MY CITY” Anti Human Trafficking Tour – Miami and South Carolina, USA
Human Trafficking is not just a huge issue to address in other countries but it is a deadly virus in communities of America. Jwear is in the fight in Easton, PA.
The mission of Jwear is to teach kids and young adults how to run a successful clothing business, giving them the opportunity to succeed.
These awesome young people design clothing, art, and crafts. They then help sell them in their shop in Easton, where the kids learn management skills.
The goal is to have a company run by kids who would not otherwise have this opportunity.
Iris Harvest School of Missions – Mozambique, Africa
Preparation for harvesting the nations.
3 Month missionary training school with Mozambican pastors and leaders trained by Heidi and Rolland Baker as well as other international ministers and missionaries.
Extended evangelistic outreaches in local bush area.
Lived with hundreds of children at the Iris Global Village of Joy to experience the Father’s heart.
Annually attracts hundreds of students from around the world.
High level workshop comprised of intense technical and spiritual training, conducted by the artists of Ballet Magnificat’s professional touring companies and staff who guide the young dancers to develop their potential and seek God’s direction for their lives.
Classes offered in ballet, pointe, variations (Ballet Magnificat repertoire), pas de deux, jazz, conditioning, and improvisation.
In addition, the schedule includes daily chapel and small group discipleship.
(promo video)
Anti–Human Trafficking with Nea Zoi and Threads of Hope, Athens Greece
Ministry opportunity to learn from Nea Zoi (New Life) and Threads of Hope (sewing business for survivors) Ministries in Athens, Greece through Liberty University Group Counseling course.
Street ministry and prayer walks in “red light district” ,
Bible study with Greek volunteers and classes on human trafficking and prostitution by Nea Zoi leadership.
Greece is a key transit and destination country for many women and children who are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation originating primarily from Eastern Europe and Soviet Bloc countries Nigeria, and Brazil.
Nea Zoi serves as a refuge to women and men enslaved in the human trafficking industry through the “local church and community… other populations are served by the ministry as well.
(personal reflections)
Bible studies outreach, Easton, PA
Conducted informally and spontaneously.
Met with various friends at several locations to teach them the Word of God.
Matthew: 14-16 (MSG)
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world.
God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill.
If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you?
I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine!
Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
I want to thank humanitarian Cecilia Sakatira for coming to the US to tour for Threads of Hope Hellas. An organization that blesses human trafficking victims and survivors. I am sure it was a sacrifice of love.
In her talk, Cecelia shared not only the difficulties for human trafficking victims and survivors in Greece but also powerful potential solutions to help alleviate the pain they are experiencing.
This was the last day of my LUGREECE class trip to Greece where our class learned about human trafficking and the legal prostituti’n in the country. We went during the height of the economic crisis 2015. Touring the gorgeous country was fun but the exploitation of women there was difficult to stomach. Something needs to be done to help the ladies who are still there and in need.
Its coming up this summer and I’m prepping for it now. I have mixed feelings to be honest. I am soooooo thankful for the opportunity and yet at the same time I know I will see some people who are caught up in prostitution, poverty and hardship. That will be tough because it is tragic. I have put details on my GoFundMe page if you want to help me get there. GoFundMe is a new website to me that actually a youth at our church recommended to me =) So much of my life is influenced by what I learn from young people. =)
Here is my GoFundMe page to learn more to PRAY or donate:
This July 3-15th, I have a unique ministry opportunity to serve with Nea Zoi (New Life) Ministries in Athens, Greece.
This group serves as a refuge to women and men enslaved in the human trafficking industry through the “local church and community… where those in prostitution in Athens can find restoration and new life”.Greece is a key transit and destination country for many women and children who are being trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation originating primarily from Eastern Europe and Soviet Bloc countries Nigeria, and Brazil.Close to 800,000 individuals are trafficked for various purposes every year across the borders of Greece.The organization also serves others in need including youth which I believe is wonderful and vitally needed.
…One main reason I applied for this trip goes back to how God tends to use me… to help empower people, to help them get set free from what hinders them and to encourage them walk with God in His power to change their lives and the world. If we are already friends you know that this is what motivates and drives me to help and uplift those God puts in my path. To be honest it is painful, tearful work at times and very difficult… but I believe it’s worth it when I have the privilege of watching a person take steps to turn their lives around. That is exhilarating!
To impact a life is a priceless lifelong endeavor I only attempt when I partner with God and go where He leads… this time it is Greece. I realize there will be deep pain there and ask for your prayers.
In this trip, our group from Liberty University hope to not only help the victims but those volunteers who serve to help them throughout the year.
This GoFundMe is an earnest appeal for your prayer support.
Secondly, $2,800 to defray a portion of the costs toward my flight, passport, and fees.
Updated Deadlines:
$2,800 by June 20th
As a thank you: 1. If your church or organization needs empowering training sessions for your parents or youth group … please let me know so we can discuss.
2. In collaboration with JWear we will send a “Not In My City” t-shirt to take a stand against Human Trafficking. This T-shirt is part of a movement of individuals working together to see a change in this trend domestically. Any donation over $30 is welcome to get this shirt as a special thank you =) Please just let me know =)
